The utilization of magnetic resonance imaging in the operating room

C Ménard; J-F Pambrun; S Kadoury

doi:10.1016/j.brachy.2016.12.007

The utilization of magnetic resonance imaging in the operating room

Brachytherapy. 2017 Jul-Aug;16(4):754-760. doi: 10.1016/j.brachy.2016.12.007. Epub 2017 Jan 27.

Authors

C Ménard¹, J-F Pambrun², S Kadoury²

Affiliations

¹ University of Montréal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada; TECHNA Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Princess Margaret Cancer Center, Toronto, ON, Canada. Electronic address: Cynthia.Menard@umontreal.ca.
² University of Montréal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada; École polytechnique de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.

PMID: 28139421
DOI: 10.1016/j.brachy.2016.12.007

Abstract

Online image guidance in the operating room using ultrasound imaging led to the resurgence of prostate brachytherapy in the 1980s. Here we describe the evolution of integrating MRI technology in the brachytherapy suite or operating room. Given the complexity, cost, and inherent safety issues associated with MRI system integration, first steps focused on the computational integration of images rather than systems. This approach has broad appeal given minimal infrastructure costs and efficiencies comparable with standard care workflows. However, many concerns remain regarding accuracy of registration through the course of a brachytherapy procedure. In selected academic institutions, MRI systems have been integrated in or near the brachytherapy suite in varied configurations to improve the precision and quality of treatments. Navigation toolsets specifically adapted to prostate brachytherapy are in development and are reviewed.

Keywords: Brachytherapy; Magnetic resonance; Navigation; Prostate cancer.